사회 불평등 인식 유형의 영향 요인 분석

초록

The purpose of this study is to classify and analyze the determinants of perceived social inequality in Korea. Using data from the 2023 Korean Happiness Survey (n=16,265), six dimensions of inequality perception-education, employment, law enforcement, income and wealth, power, and gender-are examined. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) identifies three distinct groups of inequality perception: the “equality-perceiving group,” the “moderate-perceiving group,” and the “inequalityperceiving group.” The main finding of subsequent multinomial logistic regression (R3STEP) are as follows. First, in terms of age, younger adults (under 30s) were significantly more likely to belong to the inequality perception group or the equality group rather than the moderate group, indicating a stronger sense of inequality among younger cohorts. Second, economic activity contributed to maintaining equality perceptions, whereas family income paradoxically increased the likelihood of belonging to the inequality perception group, suggesting the role of relative deprivation. Third, higher subjective social status of both the individual and their parents reduced inequality perception, while conservative political orientation also weakened it. Fourth, social relationship variables-such as trust, participation in social activities, and experiences of mutual support-were found to be strong protective factors that reduced the likelihood of perceiving inequality. Based on these results, this study discusses several policy implications.

키워드